The community drum in this photo is named "Rolling
Thunder." She is a Taos
cottonwood log drum with a buffalo hide head. She is the most powerful, healing
drum I have ever had the good fortune to connect with. True to her name, she
sounds and feels like rolling thunder! Rolling Thunder has been the heartbeat
of our community drum circle for over twenty years. We put our prayers into the
drum before we play. We then send our prayers out into the circle of life on
the voice of the drum. The resonance of the drum "shakes the earth"
and the earth stops to listen.
Also called council drums, these are large drums that can be
played by many people at the same time. A community drum symbolizes the
heartbeat of the circle. Community drums foster and sustain a culture of
engagement and collaboration. Playing together on a community drum bonds the
individual members of the circle. Moreover, a communal drum can be ritually
awakened and dedicated to the work, process or mission the circle. Read more about community drums.
